From The Indianapolis News, Friday, October 18: Because of the “continued prevalence of the influenza epidemic,” the state-wide ban on all public gatherings will continue until October 26. The Indianapolis board of health established an opening time of 9:45 a.m. and a closing time of 6:15 p.m. for all retail stores in the Indianapolis downtown district, except groceries and drugstores, to reduce crowded conditions in the stores. Health officials have warned that the influenza-pneumonia epidemic has by no means slowed, and that everyone must take the greatest care if the progress of the disease is to be checked. Since the first of the month, a total of 3,690 civilian cases with 170 civilian deaths have been reported in the city. Persons who need to sneeze or cough should use handkerchiefs as the disease is communicated by promiscuous coughing and sneezing.